who will win the AFC west!

[CPT]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

...still don't like their coaching moves (Crennel/Weis)...but i'm biased against hiring coaches who struggled elsewhere to coach for a team that struggles.

Both of those guys excelled at the positions that KC hired them for. Not to mention that using that logic.....Belichick would never have gotten another job after Cleveland.

I see my Chiefs as a surprise....yes, that is a homer call but on schedule release date the past two years I knew they stood no chance....this year is different. Hell - last year they changed their offense two weeks before the season started.

[wwharton]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

No way, the Broncos collapsed last year, they started the season 6-0 and people were declaring the division theirs going into their bye, then went 2-8 including a games at home against the Raiders, Chiefs, Chargers (by 29), and at the (4-12) Redskins, those are the games you are supposed to win.

The Chargers were 2-3 at that time, and Denver was their final loss of the season in week 6, as they then went on to win 11 in a row.

But hey, they drafted Tim Tebow, and got rid of Brandon Marshall I am sure they'll do great this season.

I am regrettably going into the season with hope of 8-8, at some point you have to take a step forward, and when we fail to do that I am just glad we aren't Oakland.

I don't know who you were listening to (maybe ESPN) but all around here the majority had the Broncos finishing at the bottom of the NFL going into the season. Others had them going about 8-8. Just because some threw out their original predictions when they saw them go 6-0 (most that had them going 8-8 actually looked at the schedule) doesn't mean everyone declared the division theirs. It doesn't matter that SD was 2-3 when they played them, they were considered the best team in the division and ended up winning the division. That's not a game the Broncos were "supposed" to win. I can understand the Skins sentiment (notice how you used SD's record AT THE TIME vs the Skins end of season record... doesn't work like that) but that was also the game when the starting QB got hurt which played a HUGE role in that loss.

The Broncos talk has gone around in circles but I do find it curious to hear the explanations in the same breath as saying the Chiefs will take a big jump with the only explanation being "it's gotta happen at some point". Not that I don't agree, but I don't see that point being this year.

[gr18]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

While the Chiefs and Raiders did improve their teams,the Broncos look to have the best defense and if they still had Marshall could be a threat to the Chargers.I think there's too many holes for any of the three to beat the Chargers for the division.That being said,the Chargers are having too many issues to challenge at the top of the AFC.I see the Colts at the top followed by the Ravens.

[Buckeye]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

1)Denver
2)Raiders
3)Chargers
4)Cheifs

[Jonsco28]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

They got to get over that falling in the end of the season mode first. But I think they can make some noise.

Over the past decade, this has been true. I attribute it to the type of team that Shannahan always built. His lineman (both sides of the ball) were always smaller and quicker. As the season wore on, they just couldn't hold up. This will change with what McD is doing. He has really over-hauled the roster. Remember...they were near the bottom in '08 and finished middle of the pack in '09. Denver will continue to get better on defense.

Their offense will be fine if they get Clady back. Losing Marshall, as strange as it may sound, could actually help. Orton will spread the ball around more. They do have a decent talent at receiver with Royal, Gaffney, Stokely, Lloyd, Thomas, Decker, and McKinnley.

I don't know if Denver is ready to give SD a run, but I expect them to improve. I love the direction they are going, getting rid of all the 'me' players and turning to team oriented / high-character guys.

Just win a few games in November and December...when it really matters!

[kehlis]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

Over the past decade, this has been true. I attribute it to the type of team that Shannahan always built. His lineman (both sides of the ball) were always smaller and quicker. As the season wore on, they just couldn't hold up. This will change with what McD is doing. He has really over-hauled the roster. Remember...they were near the bottom in '08 and finished middle of the pack in '09. Denver will continue to get better on defense.

While I agree with about why it happened in the past, that wasn't the case last season.

Last season teams caught on quickly to the fact that Orton couldn't (or wouldn't) throw downfield. They were able to stack the box, stuff the run and force Orton throw. That combination just couldn't work on a regular basis.

If they don't find a way to stretch the field with Orton at QB, there will either be a quick QB change or we will see more of what we saw towards the end of the season last year.

[Jonsco28]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

While I agree with about why it happened in the past, that wasn't the case last season.

Last season teams caught on quickly to the fact that Orton couldn't (or wouldn't) throw downfield. They were able to stack the box, stuff the run and force Orton throw. That combination just couldn't work on a regular basis.

If they don't find a way to stretch the field with Orton at QB, there will either be a quick QB change or we will see more of what we saw towards the end of the season last year.

It wasn't all Orton's fault. Not even close.

Look at how Denver's rushing defense totally collapsed at the end of the year. The Raiders (241) and Chiefs (315) ran right through them...at home no less. If Denver had won those two games, they would have made the playoffs with a very respectable 10-6 record. Woulda coulda shoulda.

Either way, Denver had moderate success last year given all the changes...which were more than I can remember any franchise going through from one year to the next. Plus Denver's schedule last year was brutal.

[Jonsco28]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

If they don't find a way to stretch the field with Orton at QB, there will either be a quick QB change or we will see more of what we saw towards the end of the season last year.

Totally agree. The funny thing is that he has pretty good success with it when he does it. I don't know if it's playcalling or his unwillingness to throw the deep ball.

I think he'll have a better year. One more year in the system...but it all looks like it's going to be for naught in the very near future.

[kehlis]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

It wasn't all Orton's fault. Not even close.

Look at how Denver's rushing defense totally collapsed at the end of the year. The Raiders (241) and Chiefs (315) ran right through them...at home no less. If Denver had won those two games, they would have made the playoffs with a very respectable 10-6 record. Woulda coulda shoulda.

Either way, Denver had moderate success last year given all the changes...which were more than I can remember any franchise going through from one year to the next. Plus Denver's schedule last year was brutal.

Totally agree. The funny thing is that he has pretty good success with it when he does it. I don't know if it's playcalling or his unwillingness to throw the deep ball.

I think he'll have a better year. One more year in the system...but it all looks like it's going to be for naught in the very near future.

Yea I don't want to make it seem like I am penciling the blame on Orton because there is plenty to go around.

The defense seemed to wear down as the year wore on which added a ton of pressure on an offense that we knew from the start couldn't handle it.

The difference with the first half of the year was the offense could manage to score when they needed to and the defense was unreal, and in the second half the defense wore down a bit and opposing defenses learned how to limit the Broncos offense.

With regards to Orton throwing downfield, I think it was more of an anomaly when it worked because defenses weren't ready for it. That being said, I don't know if playcalling is to blame or his decision making is to be blamed (for that).

He's careful with the ball which can be a good thing (remember why everyone wanted to get rid of the last QB?).

Either way, I'm still optimistic, they just need the o-line to get healthy, the d0line has to live up to it's current "hype" and they have to way to spread the ball around and stretch the field so they can run more effectively.

[av7]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

Cant forget redzone woes for the Broncos offense as the year went on as well

[splff3000]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

I'm gonna say either the Raiders or the Chiefs. Of course I hope the Raiders win it, but it wouldn't shock me if the Chiefs win it either. I have a feeling that the last game of the season will be a very important game. The division could be on the line for both teams. I bet the NFL schedulers had SD playing Den, with the thinking that, that game could decide the division winner. It would be quite ironic though, if the other divisional game that's scheduled actually WAS deciding the divisional winner.

I think that both the Chargers and the Broncos are headed in the wrong direction because both teams have lost key players or they have key players very unhappy. I know for a fact that Brandon Marshall was a big big part in at least 3 of the Broncos wins. Now he's gone. In SD, Vincent Jackson is rumored to be on his way out and McNeil is upset. 2 very key players for that offense.

So my official answer is the Raiders will win the west. Not trying to be a homer. I just feel that both the Raiders and Chiefs have improved, but the Raiders have improved more IMO. If you look in the surprise teams thread, I'm not the only one that feels that way.

[bkrich83]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

I'm gonna say either the Raiders or the Chiefs. Of course I hope the Raiders win it, but it wouldn't shock me if the Chiefs win it either. I have a feeling that the last game of the season will be a very important game. The division could be on the line for both teams. I bet the NFL schedulers had SD playing Den, with the thinking that, that game could decide the division winner. It would be quite ironic though, if the other divisional game that's scheduled actually WAS deciding the divisional winner.

I think that both the Chargers and the Broncos are headed in the wrong direction because both teams have lost key players or they have key players very unhappy. I know for a fact that Brandon Marshall was a big big part in at least 3 of the Broncos wins. Now he's gone. In SD, Vincent Jackson is rumored to be on his way out and McNeil is upset. 2 very key players for that offense.

So my official answer is the Raiders will win the west. Not trying to be a homer. I just feel that both the Raiders and Chiefs have improved, but the Raiders have improved more IMO. If you look in the surprise teams thread, I'm not the only one that feels that way.

LOL..

Every year we hear this is the Raiders year. Until Davis goes, that team will eternally stink outloud. Years and years of horrid drafts and even worse FA signings are too much to overcome. Just not much talent on that roster.

The Chiefs are moving in the right direction but like the Raiders they simply lack depth and talent.

[ZM Punk]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

San Diego wins this weak division. The Broncos are headed in the right direction as a team, I just think the QB position will cost them, as I think McDaniels isn't all that enamored with Orton. I think he makes the move to Quinn about halfway through the season and it goes downhill from there.

[splff3000]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

LOL..

Every year we hear this is the Raiders year. Until Davis goes, that team will eternally stink outloud. Years and years of horrid drafts and even worse FA signings are too much to overcome. Just not much talent on that roster.

The Chiefs are moving in the right direction but like the Raiders they simply lack depth and talent.

I don't know who has been telling you "this is the Raiders year" the last 5 or 6 years, but I wouldn't listen to that person for my football news anymore. Also, contrary to what you think, a lot of people(NFL analysts included) think the Raiders got a lot better this offseason. I don't think it's as much of a stretch to pick them as you think it is.

San Diego wins this weak division. The Broncos are headed in the right direction as a team, I just think the QB position will cost them, as I think McDaniels isn't all that enamored with Orton. I think he makes the move to Quinn about halfway through the season and it goes downhill from there.

I don't know when getting rid of your best players and drafting projects in the first round was considered heading in the right direction. When the Raiders did it, we were called dysfunctional. I guess when Denver does it, it's heading in the right direction.

[bkrich83]

Re: who will win the AFC west!

I don't know who has been telling you "this is the Raiders year" the last 5 or 6 years, but I wouldn't listen to that person for my football news anymore. Also, contrary to what you think, a lot of people(NFL analysts included) think the Raiders got a lot better this offseason. I don't think it's as much of a stretch to pick them as you think it is.

It was right here by the same people.

There's a difference between getting better (which was the only way they could go) and getting good enough to win the division.

NFL analysts? LOL. Ok.